Former Los Angeles trial attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced on June 3 to more than seven years in federal prison for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from clients, some of whom were waiting on settlement money to pay for medical treatment.
Girardi, 86, was ordered to serve 87 months in custody, pay more than $2.3 million in restitution, and pay a $35,000 fine. He must surrender to federal authorities by July 17, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“This self-proclaimed ‘champion of justice’ was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of millions of dollars,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli.
From 2010 through 2020, Girardi used client trust accounts to fund personal and business expenses, including private jet travel, luxury cars, jewelry, and more than $25 million in payments to EJ Global, a company tied to his then-wife Erika Jayne of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
He falsely told clients their money was delayed due to tax issues, court approvals, or other legal technicalities. In reality, prosecutors said, Girardi ran the firm like a Ponzi scheme—using new settlements to pay off old victims or cover unrelated debts.
“This sentencing brings a level of recompense for countless victims of Mr. Girardi’s long-running scheme to enrich himself on the backs of clients who trusted him in some of their worst days,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office.
“Mr. Girardi thought he could outsmart his victims and investigators, but this sentencing demonstrates criminals cannot evade the unrivaled acumen of IRS-CI special agents in following the money, as well as the effectiveness of our partnerships with fellow law enforcement organizations like the FBI.”
Girardi’s public image began to unravel in 2020. He was disbarred by the State Bar of California in 2022 and indicted in 2023 alongside the firm’s former chief financial officer, Christopher Kamon. Kamon later pleaded guilty and was sentenced in April to more than 10 years in prison.
In addition to the California case, Girardi was indicted in Chicago for allegedly stealing $3 million from family members of victims in the 2018 Lion Air crash. He was dismissed from that case following his California conviction.
Girardi once held national prominence for his role in the Pacific Gas and Electric case that inspired the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich.” The case resulted in a $333 million settlement and helped cement his reputation as a leading plaintiffs’ lawyer.
The FBI and IRS criminal investigators said the sentencing marked the end of a long pursuit of justice.